Esha (www.braillecards.org and www.clabil.org) is an initiative by volunteers to make life better for the blind. We use the word blind because its neutral. There is no disability, challenge or special ability attached to this. We are blind means we cannot see. Period. Just like you are sighted means you can see.
You can access the online library directly at www.braillecards.org/audio.htm

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Rouble Munjal - SOIL - 2018 Batch - Experience of working with Esha

Working with ESHA foundation was one of a type experience. A typical NGO focuses on thecause and wants other people to synthesise them but ESHA is an organization that isworking for dignity and empowerment of the visually impaired and to bring these“differentially abled” people to the mainstream by making public space accessible for all.

I come from a mechanical background and I used to design the products that are usedby common people, but we never had the guidelines that we have to consider therequirements that should suffice the usability of the product by these differentially abledpeople.Our government had already laid down standards for designing of infrastructure, railways,public areas, offices but are they actually being implemented??This questions prompted me to join ESHA foundation. When I first visited the Junta BlindSchool in Gurgaon, I met the people with better senses then ours, the only difference waswe can see things clearly. Their remembering capacities are way better than ours. Our effortcan lead to one step ahead in making this mission possible. Over the tenure of 4 months wewere assigned we two projects:1. Creating Knowledge Resources that are available to the visually challenged at alltimes, through the CLABIL (Central Library of Audio Books in Indian Languages)project2. Conduct a cycling fundraising event Tour De VisionHands-on experience is a better way of getting knowledge than a traditional classroomprogramme. I had learned this in early days of my Job. Now when I am pursuing MBA, thisNational level cycling event had taught me how I can implement my management skills bytaking care of different stakeholders at the same time. Under the guidance Nidhi Mam andRajesh Sir, our team for SOIL were able to make this event successful. I actually want tothank ESHA foundation to give me this opportunity.